“Take a picture, it’ll last longer!” Well, a photo shoot can create lasting memories for years and decades to come, so if you’re going to get one done for yourself, your family, you and your future spouse, and so on, you ought to put some effort into dressing properly for the occasion. Here are a few tips on how to dress for your photo shoot:
Showcase Your Personal Style
No matter the occasion, you will always look more authentic and feel more comfortable wearing clothing that matches your personality. For men in particular, putting on a suit might be an everyday occurrence or it may be something you’ve only done for a wedding once or twice in your life. If you feel comfortable in what you’re wearing and you look like you ‘own it’ then it will certainly come across when it’s time to snap those photos.
Of course, you should try to match any theme that you may have in mind, e.g. a casual street shoot vs a formal wedding photo. Having said that, try to ‘dress up’ or ‘dress down’ to fit the occasion so that you appear genuine and comfortable.
Try to Choose Solid Block Colours
No matter how high-resolution and high-quality cameras have gotten, some colours and (especially) patterns pop out better and some worse on camera when compared to real life.
Solid block colours and neutral tones that compliment and bring out your skin tone will almost always look great - just avoid colours that are too bright. In terms of patterns, striped shirts in particular can create an unwanted effect. You may have seen it on television, where striped shirts can cause a sort of blurry effect. Instead, try to stick to simple block colours and avoid clothing with too many logos or small fine lines.
Fit is King
There is one simple rule in fashion that applies to both women and men alike: fit is king. A thousand-dollar Zegna suit can look truly classy if it fits you perfectly and has been tailored for you, but it will look like a blocky tent if you skip the tailoring.
Your clothing should fit you well and you should look (and feel) comfortable wearing it. Discomfort can’t be easily hidden in photos and it can make your smile look inauthentic.
Accessories for the Occasion
Women have many opportunities to accessorise and perhaps should use more discretion as to which accessories are better-suited for the photo shoot and which are best left at home.
Men, on the other hand, don’t typically have many accessories they can use (particularly in more formal shoots). This means that men should pay more attention to those few accessories and choose those that fit the shoot the best. Wristbands, watches, a pocket triangle, and belt can really add a nice touch of personality, but nowadays don’t be too shy to wear fun socks that show a pop of colour.
Pack a Grooming Bag for the Day of the Shoot
A photo shoot might take an hour or it might take the better part of a day, depending on your preferences and the location of the shoot. While you should certainly do your grooming the morning before the photo shoot, day-long affairs can be tiresome and you may want to consider packing a bag of grooming essentials for touch-ups throughout the day.
A small purse mirror, makeup, a hair brush, or even a change of clothes (so that you don’t ruin your outfit) can all make the photo shoot a great success.
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